Understanding Suffering: Euthanasia, Palliative Sedation, and End-of-Life Decisions

Published

2025-04-30

How to Cite

Parra Gavilanes, E., & Vallejo Martínez, M. (2025). Understanding Suffering: Euthanasia, Palliative Sedation, and End-of-Life Decisions. Oncology Journal (Ecuador), 35(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.33821/782

Issue

Section

Editorials

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33821/782

Abstract

“I can't take it anymore”, a phrase that is commonly repeated by patients in the context of a terminal illness, whenin which accompanying symptoms or situations such as pain, dyspnea, bleeding, delirium, loneliness are decisive factors when requesting to ask options to healthcare personnel for options. Faced with this scenario, the interest in bringing forwardanticipating death (euthanasia) has gained social and medical prominence. This editorial presents a reflection on the suffering of patient’s sufferingpeople at the end of their lives, the ethical obligation to provide options to alleviate that suffering, and the importance of clearly distinguishing between euthanasia and palliative sedation as a compassionate, ethical, and legal alternative.

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Author Biographies

Ericka Parra Gavilanes, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil

Docente del Posgrado en Cuidados Paliativos, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil 

Mariana Vallejo Martínez, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil

Directora del Posgrado en  Cuidados Paliativos,  Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil 

References

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